Does Walmart Patch Tires in 2023? Everything You Need to Know
If you‘ve ever had to pull off to the side of the road with a flat tire, you know how frustrating it can be. According to experts, there are over 200 million flat tires in the U.S. every year. So odds are high you‘ll eventually need to get a tire patched!
As an Amazon seller, properly maintaining your vehicle tires should be a top priority. My delivery team knows firsthand that a flat tire can completely derail operations for the day. So I always advise staying on top of tire maintenance and repairs.
When a puncture or leak is detected, one of the quickest and most affordable options is to get the tire patched. But does Walmart offer tire patching services? And how does the pricing compare to other auto shops?
In this comprehensive tire patching guide, I‘ll answer all those key questions for you. I‘ll also share insider tips on scheduling Walmart patching appointments, doing DIY repairs, and preventing flats.
Let‘s start by taking a closer look at what tire patching entails…
What is Tire Patching Exactly?
Tire patching involves sealing up a puncture hole or injury to your tire tread in order to maintain proper air pressure and safe driving performance. It‘s a temporary repair intended to extend the usability of the tire.
The basic tire patching process includes:
- Demounting the tire from the rim to access the puncture
- Locating and inspecting the tire damage
- Cleaning and preparing the puncture hole and surrounding area
- Applying adhesive patches and/or rubber stem plugs to fill the hole
- Sealing and bonding the patch or plug to the inner tire surface
- Remounting and re-inflating the repaired tire
Patching can repairs punctures up to 1/4 inch in diameter, depending on location. This safeguards the structural integrity of the tire so it can safely handle road friction and weight load.
Why DIY Tire Patching Kits Aren‘t Always Recommended
While tire plug kits are widely available from retailers like Walmart, professional patching is preferable in many cases. Here‘s a quick comparison of DIY vs pro patching:
DIY Tire Plug Kits
Pros: Convenient, inexpensive, can be done roadside
Cons: Limited to small punctures, misses damage inside tire, safety risks
Professional Tire Patching
Pros: Assesses inside tire damage, safer for larger holes, reliable equipment
Cons: Requires appointment, costs more, wait times
DIY patching with plugs alone is considered a temporary roadside fix. For liability reasons, many mechanics recommend getting all puncture damage properly assessed and repaired by a professional.
This helps identify any internal damage you can‘t see. Tools like tire buffers also prepare the area for maximum bonding strength. Skipping steps can risk the patch failing down the road.
Signs You May Need Tire Patching
Watch for these common indicators that your tire may have a puncture needing repair:
- Steady loss of air pressure, requiring frequent refilling
- Visible nails, screws, or debris embedded in tread
- Bubbling or deformations on tire sidewall
- Tire running noticeably low on air
Don‘t delay getting puncture damage assessed – improper air pressure from an unrepaired leak can lead to dangerous blowouts!
Cost Comparison of Tire Patching at Popular Retailers
Here‘s a handy table comparing current average pricing on tire patching at major national retail chains:
| Retailer | Typical Cost Per Tire |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $10 – $15 |
| Jiffy Lube | $10 – $20 |
| Discount Tire | $10 – $20 |
| Firestone | $15 – $20 |
| Meineke | $15 – $20 |
As you can see, Walmart offers very competitively priced tire patching services. In some cases, I‘ve heard of drivers getting small puncture repairs done for free if they recently purchased tires there.
Scheduling Tire Patching Appointments at Walmart
Based on my experience managing an auto maintenance fleet, I always recommend calling ahead to schedule patching repairs when possible. Here are the two ways to book Walmart tire appointments:
Online – Visit the Walmart Auto Care scheduling site and select your store. Choose tire repair and submit your info.
By Phone – Call your local Walmart Tire & Lube Express shop directly to speak with an associate and book repair time.
I suggest scheduling ahead to avoid potentially long walk-in wait times. This allows the Walmart team to plan ahead and get your vehicle patched promptly.
Inside the Tire Patching Procedure at Walmart
When you bring your tire into Walmart Auto Care Center for patching, here‘s generally what you can expect:
Tire Demounting – Your damaged tire will be removed from the wheel so technicians can access the puncture on the inner surface.
Inspection – The puncture hole is located and inspected for size, position, and any worrisome signs of internal damage.
Cleaning – The puncture and surrounding inner tire surface will be buffed and prepped for patching.
Patching – A rubber stem plug and/or adhesive patch is applied thoroughly to fill the hole and seal the leak.
Sealing – Bonding agents help seal and reinforce the patch installation.
Remount & Balance – The repaired tire is re-installed on your wheel, balanced, and inflated to the proper PSI.
Recommendations – Technicians should advise you on when to re-inspect the repair and suggest future maintenance.
Following this standard process helps ensure your tire repair is done safely and built to last.
Helpful Tips to Prevent Tire Punctures
While you can‘t avoid every road hazard, here are some pro tips to help reduce your risk of flats:
Maintain proper inflation – Keeping tires filled to the recommended PSI helps prevent punctures. Inspect pressures at least monthly.
Rotate frequently – Regular tire rotation promotes even treadwear so no areas get overexposed.
Check tread depth – Replace tires before they get over 6 years old or tread depth under 2/32". Shallow treading is more prone to punctures.
Alignment checks – Proper wheel alignment reduces abnormal tire wear from excessive friction in motion.
Drive defensively – Avoid debris-strewn areas when possible. Slow down if you must drive over debris.
Consider all-weather tires – Some modern tire makes are more puncture-resistant without sacrificing performance.
Why Tire Maintenance Should Be High Priority for eCommerce Sellers
As an Amazon seller, I understand how disruptive a flat tire can be, delaying critical fulfillment and distribution workflows.
That lost time compounds costs. So I make tire upkeep and quick puncture repairs a high priority for our business. Every precaution helps maximize uptime and productivity.
Prioritizing maintenance also provides long-term cost savings versus replacing damaged tires that got run while under-inflated.
And retailers with auto shops like Walmart offer discounts on tires with installation. I recommend getting quotes on bulk tire purchases if you operate a commercial fleet. Thinking proactively about tire costs helps us keep our budget in check.
The Bottom Line
In summary, if you find yourself with an ill-timed flat tire, I recommend having it professionally patched versus a DIY fix. Walmart‘s Auto Care Centers provide quality, affordable tire patching for just $10-$15 per tire in most cases.
To reduce wait times, schedule an appointment online or by phone. And be sure to follow the tire maintenance tips provided above to help avoid flats and extend the life of your tires as long as possible.
With a quick patch from Walmart, you can get safely back on the road and resume your regular ecommerce fulfillment duties in no time! Let me know if you have any other questions.
